Spain: Madrid, Sevilla & Barcelona

Bienvenidos a España! Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel, where you’ll be free to relax until our 6PM Welcome Meeting. Later, we’ll take an orientation walk around the area and enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a stylish local restaurant.

Buenos dias! Today is about experiencing quintessential Spanish culture, and we’ll begin our private city tour at the Palacio Real de Madrid, where we’ll bask in the impressive architecture and snap some photos. Our walking tour will take us through the history of Madrid, both mainstream and LGBTQ+ with a few stops for tapas along the way. Our tour will include the Royal Palace, Gran Via, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza de la Villa, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, and more! We’ll end in the lively gaybourhood of Chueca, where our guide will highlight important sites from Spain’s queer movement. We’ll have the afternoon at our leisure to perhaps wander through Mercado San Antón, visit Libreria Berkana, Madrid’s oldest queer bookstore, or recharge with a siesta. This evening, we’ll reconvene for a late dinner (as the Spaniards do) near the hotel and have an opportunity to check out the nearby bars.

We’ll begin today with a 2-hour high-speed train ride to Córdoba, a bastion of Moorish architecture that’s home to the adorable Calleja de las Flores (Flower Street). After we drop our luggage at the hotel, our guided tour begins! Our first stop will be La Mezquita, the impressive Mosque-Cathedral containing 856 colourful columns made from marble, onyx, jasper and granite. Notably, La Mezquita began as a mosque, and was later transformed by Christians who built a towering cathedral out of the roof of the existing structure. Afterward, we’ll stroll through the Jewish Quarter and visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, known for its mosaics and gardens. After taking time for an optional lunch, we’ll have some free time to explore the city at our own pace or have a siesta. This evening, we’ll tapas-hop our way through 3 amazing restaurants and perhaps take a stroll along the river, ice cream in hand.

This morning, we’ll have a chance to sleep in and enjoy the hotel’s pool. Around lunchtime, we’ll hop into our private transfer headed to Sevilla, taking in the sweeping views of the picturesque countryside during our 90-minute drive. Upon arrival, we’ll get settled at the hotel before a short orientation walk with the rest of the afternoon free. This evening, we’ll wander over to La Encarnación Square and the Metropol Parasol (also known as the ‘mushrooms of Seville’), a completely wooden architectural wonder which is officially the largest wooden structure in the world. Here, we’ll have time to snap photos before we turn up the heat at Tablao Flamenco Las Setas with a magical flamenco performance and an included cocktail. After the show, we’ll head to an included dinner at an exquisite LGBTQ-owned restaurant, followed by a walk (and possibly a drink) in Almeda de Hércules, a popular street that features several queer bars – muy caliente!

Rise and shine! After breakfast, we’re off to soak in the highlights of Sevilla. First, we’ll transfer to Plaza de España to tour this architectural masterpiece built for the 1929 Barcelona International Expo. You may recognize the ornate plaza from films like Lawrence Of Arabia, Star Wars: Episode 2, and the recent Netflix series KAOS. Next, we’ll visit the Alcázar of Seville and the nearby Cathedral of Seville, the largest Christian Gothic cathedral in the world. After lunch, we’ll have the afternoon and evening at our leisure. If you’re interested, join our host for a sunset walk to the Tirana Bridge and an optional dinner.

This morning, we’ll have a luxuriously late start before an included breakfast and a 3-hour private transfer to Granada, a lovely city perched in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After checking in to our hotel and enjoying some downtime, we’ll head to Alhambra in the early evening. This sprawling hilltop fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site dominates the city’s skyline and plays host to royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, which are best viewed in the evening. While here, we’ll visit Palacios Nazaríes, a spectacular basilica that flaunts its opulent Moorish-style courtyards, reception halls, and royal quarters. We’ll then return to our hotel to freshen up before an included group dinner.

Today, we’re making the most of our last full day in Andalusia. After breakfast, we’ll head out on a walking tour, admiring the exteriors of the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel. We’ll learn about the famous LGBTQ+ Spanish writer Federico García Lorca, and his intriguing life before passing through Plaza de Bib-Rambla and the Alcaiceria, a former Moorish silk market filled with small traders selling souvenirs. Think Moroccan bazaar with a Spanish twist. Next, we’ll enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Albayzin to marvel at the Palace of Dar al-Horra and Paseo de los Tristes. Our tour will end at Mirador de San Nicolas, where we’ll enjoy one of the best views of Granada and the Alhambra Palace. We’ll then break for lunch and a siesta, then reconvene in the late afternoon for a cooking class, an opportunity to gain insight into the local techniques used in this region, and of course, do some cooking! After enjoying the fruits of our labor, we’ll head back to the hotel for a free evening.

After breakfast, we’ll head to the airport bright and early for our included flight to Barcelona. Upon arrival, we’ll board a private panoramic bus tour to view some of the city’s most prominent landmarks, including the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Placa de Catalunya, and the Arc de Triomf. We’ll then have lunch in an LGBTQ-owned restaurant before stretching our legs on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. Later, we’ll check-in to our hotel, take an orientation walk, and then have free time before gathering for an included dinner nearby. Since it’s Saturday, we may opt to paint the town red and head out for drinks in Gaixample, home to many of the city’s LGBTQ+ establishments.

Rise and shine, we’re off to set our sights on two of the highlights for every visitor to España. First, we’ll head to Park Güell, created by famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. Our visit to the park will set the stage for the cynosure of the city, Sagrada Familia. Work has been underway for more than 130 years on this massive monument, also designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, with its construction expected to be finished by 2026. While here, we’ll have the opportunity to learn about the architecture, climb to the top of the towers, and visit the underground museum to gain insight into how Gaudi planned this masterpiece. Afterward, we’ll have the afternoon at our leisure to shop ‘til we drop, visit the gay beach of Platja de la Mar Bella, or wander along the pier. We’ll reconvene late this afternoon for a sunset drink overlooking the city, a fabulous Farewell Dinner, and perhaps one last dip into Barcelona’s gay nightlife. 

There are no activities planned today until your complimentary departure transfer. Safe travels home!